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George Graeber let us know that Grant passed today, March 2, 2025. Grant had been suffering with pulmonary fibrosis for the past few years. He was able to join our class reunion in 2023, the last time most of us visited with him. Since then he has stayed in touch mostly through emails.
From his profile: After graduating from Cubberley High School, I attended California State University, Chico, and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. Subsequently, I've been involved in the real estate industry, primarily as a commercial real estate appraiser and investor. I have been awarded the MAI, AI-GRS, and CCIM professional designations. My present focus is multifamily investments in emerging markets. I also mentor Millennials on the benefits of starting an investment program early in life. I've been a member of the Palo Alto Elks Lodge for over 35 years and currently serve as Chairman of the Veterans Committee. We serve wounded warriors in the spinal cord injury ward at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto.
We'll add to Grant's memory page as we learn more from his family and friends.
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Jeff Littman
From Grant's wife, Kathy:
I wanted to let you know that Grant passed on Sunday afternoon. He had pulmonary fibrosis which was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. Grant handled the terminal diagnosis with grace and was always thankful for the life he had and never dwelled on sadness or regret. He died in much the way he lived his life, with dignity. He leaves behind our daughter Brooke, son in law Misha and granddaughter Gia. We were married 35 years.
Grant had fond memories of high school and always spoke highly of his classmates and loved reunions and reconnecting.
Jeff Littman
A few photos of Grant, one from perhaps junior high school, and one from our 2023 reunion.
Ronni Teicher
Greendell! Wilbur! Cubberley! Class reunions! I was looking forward to seeing you again. R.I.P.
Pat Hite
Grant, I am glad we saw each other at our last reunion. Rest in peace. God bless.Catherine Williams
Grant was ever so charming at our last reunion. When I commented that I was so glad to see him alive because he had had a serious heart attack some years previously, he said yep I survived that but now I've got something else and it's terminal. He was very matter-of-fact about it. For the rest of the evening he held court, so to speak, and chatted with everyone who came by. He was especially excited to see Carla Terzian. It sounds like he was a wonderful mentor and valued member of the Palo Alto community - a fabulous legacy.
Ginny Virginia Miller (Tucker)
Grant was a dear friend for decades. So much kindness and always a big smile and a shared laugh when it was needed. Peace to you, Grant, and the comfort of grace to wife Kathy and daughter Brooke.
Ellen Green
Grant always seemed to have a smile. He was genuine. May his memory be a blessing to his family and friends.
Tom Armstrong
Hello Classmates - Nancy and I, along with several classmates attended Grant's memorial yesterday in Palo Alto. It was wonderful to learn more about our friend Grant. He lived a full life full of adventure, work, play and love of family. The stories told by his close buddies and family were touching and funny! He was well loved and will be missed. Thank you Kathy, Brooke and all of Grant's friends and extended family for a fitting celebration of Grant. A life well lived.
Craig Marshall
I was never in Grant's orbit. I wasn't aware enough for many things at Wilbur and Cubberley. After sitting through Grant's memorial, I realized that he was the kind of person who loved life and had the mentality of an ambassador. His lovely partner-in-life, Kathy and daughter, Brooke are testimonials to Grant's ability to choose well and his ability to shape and love his daughter. His best friends made it clear that he was a cherished addition to a fine group of folks who loved putting him at the center of all things. I am sad that he is gone so soon and I would have enjoyed knowing him better.
Jeff Littman
This is from Kathy, Grant's wife:
Grant would have been touched that so many classmates came out to honor him. I do think it was a nice service and he would have loved the tributes. There was a lot of love in the room.
Yes, please feel free to pass along the Cyndi Wood story. One of Grant's favorite sayings was "Unless you ask, you've already taken no for an answer". I think that sums up that story pretty well.
Thank you again for getting the word out about his service, it would not have been the same without the Cubberley gang!
Kathy
Grant had been writing his memories to share with his granddaughter, and here is one he shared with me a few weeks before he passed.
I am slowly working on my life story. I can go a week without writing anything. However, last night I did some writing.
I was at the Reno Hilton in the late 1970s and saw a cabaret show that featured Cyndi Wood, the 1974 Playboy Playmate of the Year. On a lark, I called the hotel and asked to be connected to her room. I was surprised when she picked up the phone. We had a 30-minute conversation on a wide range of topics. She told me she and her boyfriend lived in Antioch (a Bay Area suburb) and that she was working on getting a degree in psychology. I did an online search and found out she did in fact obtain a PhD in psychology and worked with disabled children.
Though Ms. Wood was famous for her beauty and modeling assignments (including two Playboy magazine covers) she was easy to talk to and down to earth.
What I took away from the experience was be confident and take some risks. Even if you fail, at least you will have a story to tell.